Just came back from Progressive Field and festive is an understatement as the corner of Carnegie and Ontario will be rockin’ tomorrow first pitch 1p with the ALDS getting underway. Of course, the Cleveland Guardians host the Detroit Tigers. Tanner Bibee toes the rubber for the Guards and the Tigers pitcher at this time is TBD! It was powerful just walking around the Gateway area DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND as Moms with kids in strollers, office workers on lunch break and residents of Downtown were walking their dogs and checking out the vibe of the ballpark and all had smiles on their faces. This season is MAGICAL…that may seem wrong to designate a baseball season with that moniker, but I guarantee you it is not. Folks have a special feeling about this team. The Guardians finished 23 games over .500. So many “in the know” had their win totals in the low 70’s. YUP MAGICAL and SPECIAL.
I started getting calls from Cincy and Reds fans during the 8th inning of the Brewers – Mets game last night that indeed Tito Francona was inking a 3-year deal to manage the Reds…Redlegs as I affectionately call them. I will come right out and say I am NOT a Reds fan. During the Big Red Machine days, I was at THEE Ohio State University and Cincy fanes had a field day with baseball fans from all over especially Indians fans. I was shocked that so many of their fans referred to them as the “Raaaades.” Hope you got that message. Now, I will fess up and say I was blown away by the talent on those teams as I am a baseball fan and not blind to greatness and good ball. Perhaps I was jealous or the constant chatter from Reds fans drove me up the wall, but I did not enjoy the team. It also seemed that whoever the team threw out to pitch was a stud. I also made many a road trip to Riverfront with my guys from Lima, Ohio, who were adamant Reds fans. One of the guys had a white, panel Ford Econoline van, with all the seats out in the back. We would flip to see who was the designated driver and 8-10 of us would pile into the back. It was carpeted and all the seats were out, so a few cases of Rolling Rock were in order to pregame down I -71! A few years later when I joined Q-FM-96 we took a bus full of listeners to a Saturday night game in the Queen City. Everyone enjoyed food and beverage, decent seats and all the winners and guests received a Reds/Q-FM jersey. Needless to say, I could not wear the jersey.
Now to the nonsense surrounding Tito and truly it makes me NOT MISS doing Sports Talk on a regular basis. Here are some loonies:
* This one echoes an afternoon drive “sports talker” who over a year ago said, “Tito does not impress me.” I turned off the show that day and have not tuned in once. I guess the WORLD SERIES Titles with Boston did not happen or winning year after year (10 of the 12 years he was Skipper here) did not happen. Yup he’s a bum. Get me more BUMS like this.
* Then you have the Dolan haters who are saying Tito was forced out because he made too much. Whew…I am taking a deep breath and will only say it may be time for you to move south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
* But I thought he retired. YES, FROM THE GUARDIANS TO GET HEALTHY, not from baseball.
All I know is I will cheer for Tito and his “Raaades” except when they play the Guardians or the Giants (My NL team). GO GET ‘EM SKIPPER.
I just talk about the Brewers – Mets game last night as with the NY win, they are heading to the NLCS. Bluntly put it was some of the worst baseball I have ever seen in the top of the 9th from dugout decisions to Williams the pitcher. Here you go.
– They pitch around Lindor with a 2-0 lead. Hold on!! Even a solo shot leaves the Brew Crew up 2-1 and now the tying run comes to the plate.
– After Williams fans the #2 hitter, Ninmo singles on a 1-2 count? WHAT! Pitchers count! BTW I pull Williams after that single.
– Now the “killa”…Alonso has a 3-1 count, and he knows the pitcher has to come in and it was a batting practice pitch! An 86 MPH change up inside in his wheelhouse.
– To add insult to injury the Reds Winker gets plunked and scores, truly the run that ended it.
LET’S GO GUARDIANS and I hope to see you, meet you and greet you at the ballpark Saturday or Sunday.
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Please take care of each other. It’s your world, pay attention. Enjoy every sandwich and for now ADIOS AMIGO, long may you run.
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